Gastrin Stimulates Histamine Release from the Isolated Pig Stomach

BACKGROUND: Gastrin has been shown to give an immediate and dose-dependent histamine release preceding acid secretion in the totally isolated, vascularly perfused rat stomach. METHODS: In the present study we prepared isolated, vascularly perfused stomachs taken from pigs and examined the effect of pentagastrin in a concentration of 520 pM on the histamine release to the vascular bed. Pentagastrin was given for three 5-min periods at 10-min intervals, and histamine was determined by a radioimmunoassay method. RESULTS: Each pentagastrin dose resulted in stimulation of histamine release in the three pig stomachs examined. The various histamine concentrations increased to levels previously shown to stimulate aminopyrine accumulation in isolated pig parietal cells. CONCLUSION: The present study shows for the first time that gastrin induces histamine release to the vascular bed in the pig, as previously shown for the rat and dog.